Okay - I'm a newbie - just got my Outback System and have it all wired but haven't put the power to it yet. I have read and re-read instructions and am a bit overwhelmed. I knew having a solar system would require periodic maintenance and monitoring, but this really is more than I expected. I have the FLEXpower One with Flexnet Monitor and GFDI - 48 volt system. The installation manual indicates that one must set the basic parameters for the system to operate correctly. At this point I am worried about even hooking up the batteries and PV because I am not sure what may be already set up by default at the factory and what I MUST set up myself so as not to have the system malfunction. And I have to admit I don't use all the functions on my cell phone - it just seems more hassle then it is worth. Setting this system up reminds me of that - press hot key to get here - press soft key to enter here. Damn - looks to me like a person would need a semester of computer training to understand this system well. I am worried I could short the whole damned thing out and destroy my entire investment. Does outback have a Powerpoint on-line or other training video for dummies? It would be helpful for us newbie ignorant starters. Oh by the way - I have been living without electricity for 11 years. Live in remote mountain location and grid was just not a reasonable option. I don't think I will know how to act with electricity. It has been so long - I forgot what it is like being able to switch a switch and amazingly there is light.

Well - lets say I am not an electrician - I can do basic wiring (switches, outlets, breaker box/service panel etc.). I have carefully wired up the system following the manual. I am fairly confident I did it correctly, and I am currently looking to find someone with some electrical experience (in solar) to come and take a look at the wiring before I hook up the PV and batteries. I purchased a pre-wired system from Outback (a distributor actually) - so most of the crucial component items were already wired. I have only to hook up the PV panels to the combiner box, wiring from the combiner box to the system, the service panel, the grounds, and the batteries to the system of course. I think I am more concerned about learning how to set-up and monitor the system once it is up and running. There are set-up instructions for setting the inverter, charge settings, setting the flexnet charge controller etc., that I am not familiar with at all. Then there is all the other stuff in the systems controller and inverter/charger programing manual. Maybe I am making more of this than need be, but it is all foreign to me - like reading a different language . There are some things in the set up that appear very important, like setting the battery amp-hour settings, and setting charging parameters. I don't know how much of this might have been preset by the factory and how much I need to do at initial set-up. I guess there is also the ongoing systems checks.....or what I need to know to be sure the system is functioning properly on an ongoing basis.

I do have cell phone reception.......well at least 60 percent of the time - LOL - depends on the weather. Not sure what that has to do with setting up my system though.

Thanks Jamie - only thing is I am on a mac that a word document won't load so I can read it. I will keep studying and I am thinking some of this may become clearer once I get the system up and running. I will also check with tech support at Outback. Thanks.